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Poll: Fretless - lined or unlined, regrets?
- Thread starter darwin-bass
- Start date
I'm relatively a beginner and just got a new lined fretless a few weeks ago. See: NGD: Beginner cheapo fretless: 'Vintage' Icon lefty | TalkBass.com
It's not like where I live there are many choices for a cheap lefty fretless bass so probably would have got it anyway, but I really don't see the point of the lines, and they're actually distracting. It somehow makes the whole thing a bit too easy, so now when I play this bass I try to simply not look at the fretboard at all, which is good in two ways: It helps me get the intonation right on the fretless and also I'm hoping it will help me learn to look less at the fretboard of my fretted basses.
My next fretless will surely not be lined.
It's not like where I live there are many choices for a cheap lefty fretless bass so probably would have got it anyway, but I really don't see the point of the lines, and they're actually distracting. It somehow makes the whole thing a bit too easy, so now when I play this bass I try to simply not look at the fretboard at all, which is good in two ways: It helps me get the intonation right on the fretless and also I'm hoping it will help me learn to look less at the fretboard of my fretted basses.
My next fretless will surely not be lined.
I'm a cellist/double bassist and in love with my unlined Ibanez SRF700 Portamento, it's just like an upright flipped on its side...but smaller! If you're willing to use your ear go with an unlined bass, it also looks pretty sexy 
I've owned a number of fretless basses over the years. The only one I still own and the only one with lines is a Pedulla Buzz, they only come with lines but I don't need them. My preference is unlined.
PS I hate the little fingerboard dots on the NS basses
PS I hate the little fingerboard dots on the NS basses
Found this bass. Wasn't looking for frettless, let alone a lined one. But you don't see these everyday.
Lined and lovin' it!
Lined and lovin' it!
Bryan R. Tyler
TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002
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Or you don't, as it's ridiculous to think lines make you look at the fingerboard more or use your ears less. The degree to which you look and listen is completely up to the player; lines or no lines have no part in it whatsoever. Anyone who says differently is blaming the instrument for their own faults.
I am in awe of unlined fretless players who have actually mastered the instrument and developed the muscle memory and intonation subtleties, who can play with accuracy and dynamics. It's quite the achievement.
I don't spend nearly enough time with fretless to get there, so I'll use the crutch of lines when I do. Only musicians know what's up when I play a lined fretless. The other 99% of the audience have no clue.
I don't spend nearly enough time with fretless to get there, so I'll use the crutch of lines when I do. Only musicians know what's up when I play a lined fretless. The other 99% of the audience have no clue.
Lined Fender CS Jaco and I love it, especially the sound and feel of my bass. And you know what: I use my ears even when I'm playing fretted. 
Bryan R. Tyler
TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002
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- 28,948
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And you know what: I use my ears even when I'm playing fretted.
That is ******* CRAZY TALK!!!
EdwardofHuncote
I Still Dream of Jeannie
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My Rick Turners are lined, my uprights are not, and I recently ordered an Alembic fretless with sidelines.
As usual, I'm a vote for carrots.
As usual, I'm a vote for carrots.
I used to like this one album by this one band but then I found out that the bass player used a lined fretless and now I don't like the music anymore because I'm pretty sure I can hear the lines.
Lined. Unlined looks cooler, but I play 95% fretted, and I need the help the rare times that I play fretless
how about "fretless and lovin' it?" I had a lined fretless and just did not click with it. I then got an unlined Roscoe fretless and it is what I was looking for. All I have to say is that the time I had put in on cello and trombone are really helping.
I'm a relatively new fretless player and have only played out three times with it but have not taken a backup the last two time. Relatively short sets (5 songs) for two services but the average attendance is 2,000 so there is some real pressure and the level of musicianship there is really high.
Love the look of the maple diamondwood fingerboard against the myrtle body!
Dan
I'm a relatively new fretless player and have only played out three times with it but have not taken a backup the last two time. Relatively short sets (5 songs) for two services but the average attendance is 2,000 so there is some real pressure and the level of musicianship there is really high.
Love the look of the maple diamondwood fingerboard against the myrtle body!
Dan
I love unlined. I had a lined years ago, it was awful. I spent too much time looking at the lines and not listening
